WHO: Alcohol abuse kills 3 million people yearly

24.09.2018 17:09 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Over 1 of 20 deaths within 2016 (3 million people, mostly men) were caused by harmful use of alcohol, UN Radio says referring to the WHO (World Health Organization) Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2018.
«Far too many people, their families and communities suffer the consequences of the harmful use of alcohol through violence, injuries, mental health problems and diseases like cancer and stroke,» Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said.
He added that «it’s time to step up action to prevent this serious threat to the development of healthy societies».
As to the Report, of all deaths attributable to alcohol, 28% were caused by injuries (from traffic accidents, self-harm and violence); 21% were due to digestive disorders; and the remainder were caused by cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, cancers, mental disorders and other health conditions.
The report shows that although almost all (95%) countries have alcohol taxes, fewer than half of them use other price strategies such as banning below-cost selling or volume discounts. In addition, while many countries have bans on advertising on television and radio, the restrictions are rare when it comes to the internet and social media advertising.
«We would like to see Member States implement creative solutions that will save lives,» Dr. Tedros said.
"We must do more to cut demand and reach the target set by governments of a 10% relative reduction of the alcohol global consumption within 2010- 2025 in line with Target 3.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Besides, the Report also admits that reducing the harmful use of alcohol will also help achieve several other health-related SDG targets, including for maternal and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health, injuries and poisonings.